Introduction

On December 23rd, the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) hosted a webinar titled “Diving into India’s Blue Economy: Significance for Coastal Region.” This was the second webinar part of the Indian Coastal Think Tank Network Project (ICTN), supported by the Asia Foundation. The network aims to foster a coalition of coastal think tanks, focusing on themes such as climate change and gender, coastal security, blue economy, disaster management, coastal ecology, fisheries, tourism, maritime domain awareness, and ports and shipping.

The webinar featured two experts on Blue Economy— Amb Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, former Indian Ambassador and Distinguished Fellow, Gateway House; and Dr Monish Tourangbam, Director Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies.

Key Discussion Points

• Defining the Blue Economy: Sustainability, inclusiveness, equity, and technology are the pillars of a sustainable Blue Economy.
  
• Policy Framework: India aims to balance ecological preservation with economic growth, focusing on coastal community development.
  
• Regional Collaboration: Initiatives like SAGAR and BIMSTEC are central to advancing India’s maritime vision.
  
• Northeastern Potential: The northeastern region’s connectivity through inland waterways is a valuable, untapped opportunity.

About the Panellists

• Amb Rajiv Kumar Bhatia 

He is a Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Studies Programme at Gateway House. He is a member of CII’s International Advisory Council, Trade Policy Council and Africa Committee. He is the Chair of FICCI’s Task Force on Blue Economy, and served as Chair of Core Group of Experts on BIMSTEC. He is a founding member of the Kalinga International Foundation and a member of the governing council of Asian Confluence.

Amb Bhatia also held positions as the Director General of Indian Council of World Affairs, Joint Secretary in the MEA and served as Ambassador to Myanmar and Mexico and as High Commissioner to Kenya, South Africa and Lesotho. He has also published three books titled Global Affairs: Perspectives from Sapru House, India-Myanmar Relations: Changing Contours and India-Africa Relations: Changing Horizons. 

• Dr Monish Tourangbam 

Director of the Kalinga Institute of Indo-Pacific Studies (KIIPS). Formerly, he was an Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of International Studies, Amity University, Noida and Senior Assistant Professor at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.

Dr Tourangbam was also an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and Associate Editor of the Indian Foreign Affairs Journal of the Association of Indian Diplomats. He was a Visiting Faculty at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio and a SAV Visiting Fellow at the Stimson Center, Washington D.C. He has been part of several Track II Dialogues. He was an International Observer of the Russian Presidential Election in 2018 and an Indian delegate at a BRICS Exchange Programme (2017), Beijing.

He has written for the Institute of South Asian Studies, Stimson Center, The Diplomat, Institute of Security and Development Policy, Asian Confluence, The Print, Financial Express, Indiatimes and many others.

• Aleena T Sabu 

Aleena T Sabu is a Research Associate of the International Relations Vertical at the Centre for Public Policy Kochi, Kerala, India. She is currently working on the Indian Coastal Think Tank Network project and had previously worked on a paper with Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan on the Global Security Implications of the Bay of Bengal. Aleena has completed her Master’s in Politics and International Relations from Pondicherry University and Bachelor’s in Political Science (Hons) from Delhi University.

Summary of the Discussion

• Conceptual Clarity: The Blue Economy was defined as a sustainable approach to marine resource utilization, ensuring ecological preservation while supporting economic benefits. This includes fisheries, tourism, maritime transport, and energy.
  
• Framework for India: India’s policy framework incorporates global principles of equity, inclusiveness, and innovation, aligning with SDG 14. A balanced approach ensures sustainable use of marine resources while addressing the growing aspirations of coastal communities.
  
• Regional and Global Leadership:
  – India’s role in global forums like the G20 and regional initiatives such as BIMSTEC and IORA showcases its commitment to maritime collaboration.
  – The SAGAR initiative and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) are instrumental in enhancing India’s maritime partnerships.
  
• Coastal and Northeastern Integration: Coastal communities remain at the forefront of the Blue Economy framework. Despite its landlocked geography, the northeastern region can integrate into the broader Blue Economy through inland waterway systems, industrial value chains, and international partnerships with nations like Japan.
  
• Action Points: The discussions highlighted actionable steps, such as implementing regional projects, promoting inclusive governance, and enhancing data collection on the Blue Economy’s contribution to GDP. Separate Unit for Blue Economy: A separate unit, ministry or minister must  be allocated for Blue Economy. 

Key Takeaways

• Economic Potential:
  The Blue Economy contributes 4-5% of India’s GDP but holds far greater potential for growth through technology, innovation, and sustainable practices.
  
• Coastal Development:
  Coastal perspectives are critical to crafting policies that address ecological sustainability and the economic aspirations of local communities. A multi-stakeholder approach is essential to successful governance.
  
• Regional and International Cooperation:
  Active participation in initiatives like BIMSTEC, IORA, and ASEAN is vital to fostering partnerships and implementing tangible maritime projects.
  
• Northeastern Contribution:
  Inland waterways, industrial connectivity, and knowledge generation can help the northeastern region play a role in India’s maritime vision despite its lack of direct access to the sea.
  
• Implementation Focus:
  Translating discussions into concrete actions, such as specific projects under SAGAR and BIMSTEC, will be critical to realizing the Blue Economy’s potential.